National news

No quick relief from heat for western U.S.

Temperatures for most of Southwest expected to near records

By

KateGibson

National Weather Service

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — The heat searing the western U.S. is expected to last into next week, with no quick relief in store from the near-record temperatures that hospitalized more than 30 concert goers in Las Vegas.

The dangerous, triple-digit temperatures covered much of the western U.S. on Saturday, with excessive heat warnings or advisories in effect for half a dozen states.

The heat wave in the West is expected to continue for the next several days, and many locations “will break daily records and even approach all-time records,” according to the National Weather Service.

“We’re going into the peak of the event right now, Saturday and Sunday, and continuing into the week. Areas in California and up into the Pacific Northwest will also see heat-related effects,” said Todd Lericos, a meteorologist with the weather service in Las Vegas.

A strong high-pressure system drifting over the western U.S. “is trapping a lot of the heat down near the surface, with most of the Southwest coming within record territory, either all-time or daily or monthly records,” he added.

One of the hottest areas will be Death Valley, Calif., which holds the world record of 134 degrees hit on July 10, 1913. “We’re forecasting 128 for Death Valley, so we probably won’t make that (record) today,” said Lericos.

Warnings were posted for parts of California, Nevada and Arizona, and temperatures were also expected to surge in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho, with triple-digit heat projected in Boise.

Temperatures were expected to climb to 97 in Los Angeles on Saturday and up to 98 on Sunday; a high of 121 was forecast for Saturday in Phoenix, where the mercury was expected to rise to 116 on Sunday, and a high of 120 was forecast in Palm Springs, Calif., Saturday and Sunday.

Officials urged people to exercise caution outdoors, with dehydration, heat stroke and even burns from hot asphalt among the potential risks.

Reuters

A man tries to cool off in Tempe, Ariz., where the temperature reached 116 degrees on Friday.

“The Southwest is a pretty warm place, so people are accustomed to high temperatures, but we’re stringing together quite a few days of very high temperatures, so we don’t get the overnight drops that help people recharge,” said Lericos.

People should drink lots of water before going outdoors and take frequent rests, be on alert for signs of dehydration, which include dizziness and nausea. “We’re trying to heighten awareness with outdoor activities that you can get into trouble real fast,” said Lericos.

People should also consider leaving their pets at home during the extreme heat, advised the Arizona Humane Society.

“We’ve had animals come in with third-degree sunburns,” said Bretta Nelson, a spokeswoman for the society.

“Every summer we see the same thing take hold, with people out walking their pets in the afternoon,” said Nelson, who adds that people often leave their pets in cars with the windows cracked, not realizing temperatures in vehicles even parked in the shade can rise up to 200 degrees.

Rangers positioned themselves at trailheads to urge people not to hike at a national recreational area at Lake Mead, Nev., Lericos relayed, adding that a Boy Scout leader died of heat stroke while hiking in the park in June.

“People aren’t bringing enough water for themselves, much less their pets,” offered Nelson, who urged would-be hikers to not bring their pets along if they still opt for walking expeditions.

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